Methodist response to the killing of Benazir Bhutto

by Richard on December 29, 2007

Christine Elliot, World Church Secretary for Asia and the Pacific, says;

â€˜Thursday 27 December was a very sad day, especially for the people of Pakistan. The shocking killing of Benazir Bhutto has been a desperate blow for the fragile hope of a new democratic government in the elections planned for 8 January 2008.

â€˜The situation in the country over the next hours and days will be very precarious, particularly in the Sindh province. Our partners in Pakistan are concerned that civil war may erupt and that military rule will be re-imposed further - there is a desperate feeling that it will be really difficult to recover from this tragedy. We have been asked to pray with and for the people of Pakistan, for peace and stability, and hope that others will join us in this task.â€™

The Revd Jonathan Kerry, Coordinating Secretary for Worship and Learning, has written this prayer for Pakistan;

With her people we pray for peace in Pakistan.
With her people we mourn the dead.
With her people we long for stability.

When violence and terror confront us: Turn our outrage into action for justice and peace;
Turn our horror into deeds of practical compassion;
And turn our lust for revenge into a determination to work for a world in which all are equally valued.